Asthi
i.e bones are the finer essence of the Meda Dhatu, which are converted into the
most solid form of the Dhatus. They give the basic structure to the body.

According
to texts of ayurveda asthis or bones are formed from the nutrients supplied by
medha dhatu through asthivaha srothas. The nutrients in medho dhatu which is
meant to nourish asthi dhatu are processed in asthivaha srothas by dhatwagnis.
Dhatwagni and bhutagni (vayu, agneya and prithvi) bring about hardness and
heaviness to these nutrients which form asthi or bone.

Functions
of asthi according to ayurveda:

In
nature we observe that trees are supported by strong solid stems. Same way
human body is supported by strong bones. All muscles (mamsa), tendons and
ligaments are attached to asthis (bones). Asthi supports these structures and
gives shape to our body.

Bones
are made up of a solid structure organized as a matrix. This matrix can be
visualized as the letter X. The lines that form the letter are solid and made
of earth. The space between the lines are filled with air. Thus, bones create a
solid but light structure allowing the body to easily move. Long bones have a hollow core that is filled
with hemopoetic tissue called the marrow.
This is an aspect of the majja dhatu.

When the asthi agni is low,
asthi dhatu is produced in excess. When this occurs, the tissue produced is
denser. Those with a kapha nature having lower agni produce thicker and denser
bones. Those with a pitta nature, having higher agni produce bones that are not
as dense but are more metabolically active. This can lead to narrowing and
weakness in the bones as well as inflammation if pitta becomes vitiated. Those
with a vata nature, having a variable agni produce less asthi dhatu and that
which is produced is of poorer quality. It is thinner and more fragile.

In order to produce healthy asthi
dhatu, adequate earth and air must be consumed in the proper balance through
the diet. Earth is present in sweet foods such as grains and nuts and
astringent foods such as beans. Air is
present in bitter and pungent foods such as most vegetables. Consumption alone
does not guarantee that healthy asthi will be formed. The two elements must be
properly digested so that their qualities can be used to build bones. Thus
jatharagni (main digestive fire) must be healthy. If it is not healthy, rather
than forming healthy bones these same foods will produce ama and toxify the
body and mind.

Pathology and the Asthi Dhatu

Bone
pathologies can be simple or complex.
Vata vitiation leads to weak or fragile bones that become osteoporotic
and fracture easily. Pitta vitiation leads to bone infections (ostoemyelitis)
and inflammation. Kapha vitiation leads to excessively thick, dense bones. Other diseases of the bones are more
complicated. Osteoarthritis is a combined vata-kapha condition in which vata
(age, motion and stress) is responsible for provoking growth in an irregular
fashion leading to bone spurs. Rheumatoid arthritis is a sannipatika condition
whereby vata pushes kapha to cause irregular bone growth. Vata fans the flames
of pitta causing inflammation and bone destruction. Ama is also present. Osteoblastic bone cancer
is a sannipatika condition whereby vata simultaneously pushes kapha (bone
growth) and fans the flames of agni within the affected tissue creating a high
metabolic state for growth. Osteoclastic bone cancer has a dual dosha pathology
whereby vata combines with pitta resulting in a high metabolic state that destroys
bone tissue.

In
the subtle body, the health of the asthi dhatu is dependent upon the flow
through the muladhara chakra. Prana flowing through this chakra carries the
qualities of the earth element throughout the subtle body and creates a solid
sense of self. The flow of prana through anahata and vishuddha chakras are also
important. Through these chakras, the
qualities of air and ether are circulated respectively. As the flow of prana
increases through these chakras so too do their respective elemental qualities
and this results in a weakening of the asthi dhatu both physically and
psychologically.

Evaluating
the Asthi Dhatu

As
you can not assess the health of the asthi dhatu directly except through
medical testing, it is necessary to assess the asthi dhatu via the upadhatus
and malas of its production. Thus, by examining the hair, nails and teeth the
practitioner can infer the state of the asthi dhatu.

When
the asthi dhatu is deficient, hair density becomes scant. Hair loss may be distributed throughout the
scalp or in patches. In addition, palpation of the nails reveals that they have
become thin and break easily. The teeth will appear crooked or become darker
(gray) than usual. These findings are
consistent with deficiency due to vata vitiation.

When
the asthi dhatu is in excess, hair density if full. In addition, the nails are
thick and the teeth large, straight and white. These are the signs of kapha
vitiation within the asthi dhatu. However, these findings are more difficult to
discern than deficiency as a person with a kapha prakruti will also exhibit
these same findings. Thus, secondary signs of kapha vitiation should also be
observed most especially those within the digestive system such as sluggish
digestion and the mind such as stubbornness. When these findings are present in
addition to dense hair, thick nails and white teeth it can be assumed that
kapha has entered the asthi dhatu.

When
pitta has entered the asthi dhatu, the teeth and nails will become a pale shade
of yellow and the hair will lose its color and turn gray. Over time, the nails
will nails will become weaker and the hair may fall out as deficiency sets in
due to burn out.

Proper
Treatment of the Asthi Dhatu

Healing
the asthi dhatu means restoring the proper quantity and quality of earth and
air in the body and normalizing the flow of these qualities through the
chakras. The proper quantity varies with
the constitution of the individual. Those with more kapha in their constitution
will naturally have strong asthi dhatu. This makes depletion less likely and
excess more likely. Those with more of a vata constitution tend to have a
naturally lower amount of asthi dhatu and are the most susceptible to
depletion. Those with a pitta nature tend to have a moderate quantity of asthi
dhatu and are prone to depletion only when exposed to excessive heat for an
extended period or when affected by a vata imbalance.

Meditation
for spiritual realization increases the qualities of the ether element in the
body and mind. Thus, meditation for healing the asthi dhatu must be modified.
Meditaiton while sitting on the floor creates a closer connection with the
earth and is better than in a chair. Attention on the muladhara chakra and its
connection to the earth also supports building the qualities of the earth
element. Visualization of earth energy entering from the base of the spine
during meditation and being circulated by the muldhara chakra creates a greater
sense of feeling grounded and steady. This supports asthi dhatu. The mantra of
the Muladhara chakra is lum. Quietly chanting lum with attention on muladhara
chakra enhances the qualities of earth in the body and mind.

Meditations
that increase ether and air are beneficial when asthi dhatu is in excess and
the earth element is too strong. Air fills the space created by ether and this
purifies the asthi dhatu. Meditations on the anahata chakra and vishuddha
chackras and chanting their respective bijas mantras; yum and hum increase the qualities of air and ether
respectively.

Herbs
and the Asthi Dhatu:

Several
herbs are beneficial for treating bone weakness (osteoposis) and support
healing due to fractures. These conditions are most commonly due to vata dosha
vitiation. For these conditions comfrey,
oatstraw and amalaki are all excellant.
Comfrey has long been used for supporting the healing of bones following
fracture. It is cooling and moist and blances vata and pitta doshas.. Oatstraw is a cool tonic that also
also balances vata and pitta and has been shown to stimulate bone growth. Amalaki, an outstanding general tonic for the
body is also traditionally used to support bone development. Bhringaraj is a
important herb that can be used for both tonfiication of the bones and
purification. It is most benefical for pitta dosha. Guggul and kutki are two
herbs that are specific for purification of the bones and best for treating
kapha dosha in the asthi dhatu.

In summary, a healthy asthi
dhatu leads to strong bones capable of carrying us though our lifetime. They
allow for motion when movement is necessary and steadiness in the face of
adversity. In order to keep the dhatu
healthy, it is important to know one’s prakruti and vikruti and then to take
the appropriate actions to restore balance.

Asthi
Vriddhi Laxana:

When
asthi dhatu increases more than normal , it leads to formation of adhyasthi
(hypertrophy of bone) and adhidanta (formation of extra teeth).

Asthi
Kshaya Laxanas:

When
asthidhatu or nutrients of asthidhatu reduces the following diseases may
surface.

According
to ayurveda persons who have healthy bones and skeletal system are known as
“asthi sarapurusha”. These persons will have strong bones, teeth and nails.
They will be very strong, active and enthusiastic.

Minerals
like Calcium, phosphorous, magnesium along with protein and collagen help to
build bones. Vitamin D is needed to make bones strong. Hormonal imbalances,
increased intake of proteins, salt and stimulants interrupt bone building.
Stress and prescription drugs also disrupt the process of bone building.
Deficiency of these nutrients leads to osteoporosis, inflammation of joints
(arthritis) and painful joints. Dificiency of vitamin D leads to painful
joints, stiff neck, hair loss and bone loss.